LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 

f^^ 



UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, 



30 1884 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE 



AND OTHER POEMS 



EDWARD I. DARLING 



f, 7 

6 O 






NEW YORK 

JOHN W. LOVELL COMPANY 

14 AxND 16 Vesey Street 






sV^ 



Copyright, 1884, by 
EDWARD I. DARLIN( 



TO 

HON. JOHN T. MORGAN, 
Of Alabama, 

UNITED STATES SENATOR, 

AS A TOKEN OF FRIENDSHIP AND ESTEEM, THESE CRUDE 
EFFORTS ARE DEDICATED. 



PREFACE. 

It is not my desire, in publishing these pro- 
ductions, to seek recognition as a poet, but to 
portray, to the best of my ability, for the peru- 
sal of a few personal friends, some of the senti- 
ments and emotions that have agitated the 
mind of one in whom they have kindly ex- 
pressed interest. I lay no claim to startling 
originality, but have endeavored to avoid being 
stilted or prosaic. I publish my verses, such 
as they are, trusting, through the indulgence of 
my friends and the indifference of the public, 
they may be accepted as they are intended. 

THE AUTHOR. 



CONTENTS. 



PAGE 



The Echo of the Lake. A Phantasm : 

Introduction, . . . . . . ii 

Part First, 13 

Part Second, 25 

Odds and Ends : 

To K , 37 

On the Presentation of a Song composed 

BY the Author, 38 

" Man's Estate," 39 

To J , 40 

To a Devout Lady, 41 

To H , 43 

Lines Written in an Autograph Album, 45 

The Lenten Season, .... 46 

To E , 47 

Love and Hate : 

Introduction, 51 

Prologue, 52 

Canto I., 55 

Canto IL, 65 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE, 

A PHANTASM. 
PART FIRST. 



INTRODUCTION. 

According to the laws of the Water-sprites, if one of 
their number is looked upon by a mortal, they must en- 
deavor to lure him upon the waters of their mystic lake 
after nightfall. This once accomplished he is in their 
power. His mortal body will perish and his soul be held 
in bondage for a hundred years, at the expiration of which 
time he becomes a water-sprite or gnome, whichsoever 
he may desire. Richard is deeply in love with a maiden 
living upon the opposite shore of the lake, who does not 
return his affection. While walking, one evening, by 
the side of the lake, bewailing his sad lot, he discovers 
Rosamond sporting in the crystal waters. She accosts 
him, and by promising to aid him in securing the love 
of the maiden, induces him to come to the lake the next 
evening, stand beneath a willow tree, make the call of 
the whip-poor-will ; if it is answered he is to embark in 
a canoe that will be in readiness, and hasten to the 
maid, who will be waiting, with open arms, to receive 
him on the other shore. Richard does as she directs ; 
his call is answered ; he embarks in the canoe and boldly 
starts across the lake. When in the middle his canoe is 
stopped, and he finds he has been deceived by Rosa- 
mond, who appears, and condemns his soul to hover as 
an echo over the lake for a hundred years. 

N. B. This story was conceived by the author* upon his 
visiting the Echo Lake, at the White Mountains, N. H. 



CHARACTERS. 

Rosamond Queen of the Water-sprites. 

Richard A Young Hunter. 

Zenas King of the Gnomes. 

Gnomes, Fairies, Water-sprites, Imprisoned Souls, etc. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 
A Phantasm. Part I. 



SCENK.—Banl^s of Echo Lake at nightfall. Gnomes 
and Fairies revelling in the moonlight. 

Chorus of Fairies and Gnomes. 

Gnomes and Fairies far and near, 
Quickly, quickly, gather here. 
By the lake so cool and clear 
We may revel without fear ; 
Should a mortal dare appear. 
And our blithesome revel hear, 
We will laugh, and hoot, and jeer. 
As we quickl}^ disappear. 

Zenas. 

Sprites of water now appear, 
Join us in our evening revel. 



14 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Cliorus of Water-Sprites {rising from the lake). 

As the evening shadows deepen, 
And the shades of night are falling, 
From our beds of water-lilies 
We will hasten to your calling ; 
While the breezes, gently sighing, 
Waft a murmur thro' the forest. 
And the moon is softly weaving 
Silv'ry chains o'er lake and woodland, 
From the gently-heaving bosom 
Of our mystic lake we hasten. 

Zenas {to Rosamond). 

Welcome, fair sister, your coming gives us joy ; 
Without your regal presence our revel had been 

wanting. 
With merry song and dance we'll pass the fleet- 

■ ing hours, 
'Till midnight's mystic veil is o'er fair nature 

thrown. 

Chorus of Gnomes., Fairies, and Sprites. 

With merry song and dance we'll pass the fleet- 
ing hours, 

'Till midnight's mystic veil is o'er fair nature 
thrown. 



■niE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 15 

Rosamond. 

Most gracious king, I thank you for your cor- 
dial greeting ; 
i^ut pray you listen while I do relate 
Wiiat I from cool recesses of my mystic lake 
have seen. 

At ev'ning when the sun has gone to rest, 
And mellow twilight's o'er the landscape 
falling, 
And when the nightingale's melodious song 
Is mingled with the whip-poor-will's sad 
• calling, 
Then mortals think of sleep, and sprites awake 
To revel in the waters of their lake. 

Last ev'ning, just about this hour methinks, 
When all the sprites my signal but awaited 

To sally forth, upon the banks I saw 
A sight that to our revel was ill-fated. 

For, 'neath yon willow tree, with sadd'ned air. 

There stood a youth, of beauty wond'rous 
fair. 

Chorus of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 

A mortal ! a mortal ! 

Upon our queen has cast his eyes. 

Ha! ha! ha! Ho! ho! ho! 



1 6 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Ecstatic joy, a glad surprise ! 
For now another mortal dies, 
Another mortal dies ! 

Zen AS. 
And pray what did he here ? 
This spot by mortal foot should ne'er be trod. 

Rosamond. 
He seemed absorbed in deepest meditation ; . 
His manner was dejected, and care-worn looked 

his eye. 
Methinks that some fair maid has trifled with 

his heart, 
For mortals, I suppose, as well as we, know 

how to love ; 
And yet that cannot be, for if 'twere so. 
What more could maiden wish to love than 

such as he ? 

Zenas. 
According to our laws 
This mprtal now must die. 

C/iorjis of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 
Ha ! ha ! ho ! ho ! a mortal, a mortal 

Upon our queen has cast his eyes ; 
And now according to our laws 

This mortal dies, this mortal dies ! 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 17 

Rosamond. 
I think he will be here again, 

For while he gazed in mute surprise 
I waved my hand to him and smiled, 

Then vanished from before his eyes. 

Zenas. 
'Tis well ! But hark, I hear his footsteps now 
Approaching slowly to our mystic dell. 

Rosamond. 
Then Fairies, Sprites, and Gnomes away, 
And I will meet him 'neath the tree, 
And in my sweetest tones will offer aid 
To win the co)'' affections of the maid. 
If he do but accept, then shout with glee, 
For that will surely bring his soul to me. 

CJiorus of Gnojiics, Fairies, and Sprites. 
When the mortal doth appear. 
And his promise greets our ear. 
With a laugh and hoot and jeer 
We will quickly then appear. 

[Enter Richard.) 

Richard. 
Sadly I wander. 
Deeply I ponder, 



l8 THE ECHO. OF THE LAKE. 

Seeking in vain 

Solace to find. 

No ray of sunlight penetrates 

The darkness of my soul. 

The day seems night, 

And night a ghastly pall 

Which, lifted with the dawn, 

Presents to view the shrivelled corpse of Hope, 

And stands by with virulent leer 

The hideous spectre Memory. 

Rosamond. 

Why speak you thus, fair youth ? 
Such words from one so young 
Sound strange, and out of keeping. 

Richard. 

And pray, sweet maiden, who art thou 
That question, and thus criticise my words ? 

Rosamond. 

One who would give thee solace 

That you seek. 

And render more substantial aid, perchance, 

If it be in her power. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 19 

Richard. 

And still my question is unanswered ; 
Who art thou, fair maid, 
That offer solace and substantial aid 
To one who knows you not ? 

Rosamond. 

I am the Queen of Water-sprites, 
And having seen your sore distress, 

Would aid you by my magic pow'r 
To gain your love and be at rest. 

Chorus of Imprisoned Souls {heard from tJic 
depths of the lake). 

Heed her not, heed her not! 

She is false, false tho' fair ! 
Heed her not, heed her not. 

Heed her not, mortal beware ! 

Richard. 

Still, I confess I cannot see 

Why you unasked should offer aid. 

Rosamond. 

By offering aid to you, fair youth, 
Know that I also aid myself. 



» THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

That is, provided you accept, 
For hy our laws whoe'er shall give 
A mortal succor in distress 
Regains their own imprisoned soul, 
And freedom from the bonds we loathe ; 
Therefore both gain and nothing lose. 

Chorus of Imprisoned Souls. 

Heed her not, heed her not ! 

She is false, false tho' fair ! 
Heed her not, heed her not. 

Heed her not, mortal beware ! 

Richard. 

It seems so strange I hesitate 

And yet such aid 'twere foolish to refuse ; 

For if I understand aright 

Both win our hearts' desire and nothing lose. 

Rosamond. 

Both win our hearts' desire if you accept. 

You win your love and I my soul ; 

For by my life I swear to you 

That you, shall in your arms enfold 

Your love before this hour to-morrow night 

If you but follow my instructions right. 



THE KCHO OF THE LAKE. 2 

Clionis of Imprisoned Souls. 
Heed her not, heed her not ! 

She is false, false tlio' fair ! 
Heed her not, heed her not, 

Heed her not, mortal beware ! 

Richard. 
And pray what would you have of me ? 

Rosamond. 
Swear by your love that you'll obey 
All my instructions faithfully, 
Preserving utmost secrecy. 

Richard. 
I fain would know what your instructions are 
Before I swear by that to me so dear. 

Rosamond. 
Your task will be most easy, gallant youth 
Come to this dell to-morrow night, 
And stand beneath yon willow tree ; 
Then make the call of whip-poor-will, 
And if an answer come to thee, 
Know that my efforts were not vain, 
And she whom you now so adore, 
Is waiting with impatient sighs 
To creet thee on the other shore. 



J THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Then haste thee to yon crystal lake, 
Wliere you will find a light canoe ; 
And now methinks I've said enough, 
For you will know what else to do. 
You see it is an easy way 
To reach the much-desired goal : 
You win the sunlight that you sought, 
I whi not sunlight — but a soul. 

Chorus of Imprisoned Souls. 

Heed her not, heed her not ! 

She is false, false tho' fair! 
Heed her not, heed her not, 

Heed her not, mortal beware ! 

Richard. 

Can this be all of me you ask ? 

For by my soul this is no task 

To put before such love as mine. 

The price seems insufficient that I pay 

For such a priceless treasure that I gain. 

Rosamond. 
Yes, that is all I ask. 

Richard. 
Well, then, I swear that by my love, 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 23 

Your mandate strictly I'll obey, 
Preserving utmost secrecy. 

CJiorus of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 

Ha ! ha ! the mortal, the mortal 

Who on our queen did cast his eyes 

Has promised to obey her laws ; 
And now this mortal surely dies. 

Rosamond. 

Now quickly leave this mystic dell, 

But do not fail to-morrow night 

To follow my instructions right, 

And all will yet be well. S^Exit Richard. 

{Enter Gnomes, etc.) 
Chorus of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 

See the mortal disappear ; 
Yet we need not have a fear, 
For to-morrow's very near. 
And to-morrow he'll be here. 
Let us laugh, and hoot, and jeer, 
For to-morrow he'll be here. 

End of Part I. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

A PHANTASM. 

PAR T SECOND. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

A Phantasm. Part II. 



Scene. — Bank of Echo Lake at nightfall. Enter 
Richard. 

Richard. 

The shadows of departing day 
Are 'round me gently falling, 

As mellow twilight lights the way 
And love to me is callinij. 



Chorus of liuprisojicd Souls. 

Foolish mortal, heed our warning, 
Let its echo reach your heart : 

If you heed the sprite's soft speeches, 
You and love forever part. 



28 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Richard. 

How sadly siglis the evening breeze ; 

It seems to whisper to my heart : 
Poor fool, heed not the sprite's fair words, 

Or you and love forever part. 
'Tis strange that sighing of the breeze 

Should waken doubts within my breast, 
And ev'ry rustle of the trees 

Should fill my soul with vague unrest. 
It is not fear, and yet what can it be ? 
There seems around me to enfold 
A mantle of repulsive gloom, 
Which warns me of approaching doom. 
That I would fain eschew. 
But what care I for doubts and vague unrest, 
When love, I know, awaits to make me blest. 
[^SU/>s bcncatJi tJic willoxv-trcc. 

Whip-poor-will ! 

Rosamond {fi ojh the otJicr shore). 
Whip-poor-will ! 

Richard. 

Oh, joy ! there comes an answer to my call ; 
Still, had there not, my patient, loving heart. 
Which prisoned for so long within my breast. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 29 

Would struggle to break its fetters and be free, 
That it might fly across the lake to thee. 

[Richard embarks in a canoe that is ivaiting 
for Jiini and starts for tJic otJicr sJiore. 
Swiftly o'er the crystal lake 
I glide in my light canoe ; 
Silv'ry moonbeams softly break 
Over ripples in its wake, 
And all nature seems to make 
Homage to its beaut'ous queen, 
Who, in robes of silver sheen, 
Smiles benignly on the scene ; 
And she knows full well, I ween, 
That I haste, my love, to you. 
So she kindly lights my way 
O'er the rip'ling waters blue, 
Making night as bright as day 
By the lustre of her ray, 
And I grateful homage pay 
Both, my love, to her and you. 

Ah, heaven ! what can it mean, this sudden 
change ! 

The sky grows dark, and ev'rything seems 
strange ! 

The very riplets, that a moment ago 

Were tipped with moonbeams, cease their merry 
flow ; 



30 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

From riplets they have grown to surging waves, 
That seethe and foam around my hght canoe, 
And on each white-capped crest there rides a 

maid, 
Determined and relentless, that pursue 
My fragile craft. I strive with might and main 
To reach the other shore, but all in vain ; 
With ev'ry surging wave they nearer come ; 
Oh, God ! should they overtake me, I'm undone ! 
But by the pow'rs that reign supreme above, 
Naught shall prevent my coming to thee, love. 

Chorus of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 

Ha ! ha ! the mortal, the mortal 

Who on our queen did cast his eyes. 

Has dared to venture on our lake ; 
And now this mortal surely dies. 

Richard. 

My boat has stopped ; just heav'n, what can it 

mean ! 
My efforts to proceed are all in vain. 
And 'round about me shadowy forms I see 
That would impede my progress, and restrain 
My coming to thee, love ; but what care I ! 
I'll breast the waves, and reach thy side or die ! 
[Richard leaps into the lake. 



THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 3 1 

Chorus of luiprisoncd Souls. 

Thou art doomed, thou art doomed, 
And thy soul will be entombed 
In a ca\-ern dark and drear 
Many a long and weary year. 

Richard. 

My rigid limbs will not obey 

The mandate of my will, 

And stiffened like a corpse I lay 

Upon the surface of the lake, 

Which now is calm and still ; 

No trace of storm is 'round me seen. 

The waves, their fury spent, 

Lie still, and now the moon's bright sheen 

Smiles mockingly upon the scene, 

As by some foul fiend sent 

To taunt me with its silv'ry light 

For being in so sad a plight. 

Rosamond {standing in the canoe Richard 
has Just vacated). 

Ha ! ha ! my ardent youth, you see 
By following my instructions right 

You've found not her you sought — but me ; 
Think not you 'tis a pleasant sight ? 



32 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Richard. 

Oh ! false enchantress, by thy speeches mild 
I, foolish youth, was tempted and beguiled 
To venture after nightfall on your lake. 
And brave its danger for my love's sweet sake. 
But now I know your speeches were foul lies 
To lure a foolish victim, who his eyes 
Upon thy fairy form did cast, to death. 
By heav'n ! I curse thee with each fleeting 
breath. 

Rosamond {mockingly). 

My gallant youth, thy curses, or regrets, 

It matters not but little which they be, 

Are all in vain ; thy soul will be enslaved 

A hundred years, and after that be free 

To wander wheresoe'er it wilt — 

Provided it permission get from me. Ha ! ha ! 

Richard. 

Oh, God ! and is it thus I'm doomed to die 
A living death for many a weary year ? 
Altho' enslaved, my soul will ever try 
To break its loathsome bonds, and hover near 
Thee, love — ah, could this be I would not sigh 
To live, for it w ere happiness to die. 



tup; kcho ok thk i.akl:. t,^ 

Rosamond. 
Fair youth, such love for one who loves you not 
Excites my pity to such an extent 
That were it in my pow'r I'd set thee free 
To hover near her to thy heart's content ; 
But by our rigorous laws this cannot be ; 
Still, I can try to bring her soul to thee. 

Richard. 
Execrable fiends, and is't not enough 
To take the mortal life and soul you hate, 
WJiich I resign without one single pang, 
And spare my love from such a cruel fate ? 

Rosamond. 
Most noble youth) I pity your distress, 
And some concession from our laws will make, 
To doom your soul for the next hundred years 
To hover as an echo o'er our lake ; 
And when another mortal we allure 
Upon its bosom after twilight's fall 
To meet his love, your spirit, hov'ring near. 
Will make the wished-for answer to his call. 
Now bid farewell to mortal life and love, 
To earthly sorrow, care, and joy, and pain ; 
The soul once yours now's mine, and mine alone ; 
The freedom it has lost 'twill ne'er regain. 

[Richard, //luU' and helpless, sinks. 



34 THE ECHO OF THE LAKE. 

Chorus of Gnomes, Fairies, and Sprites. 

Ha ! ha ! the mortal, the mortal, 

Upon our queen did cast his eyes, 
And now according to our laws 

We watch him as he slowly dies. 
His spirit we've no doubt will make 
An excellent echo for our lake. 
With laugh and shout and hoot and jeer 
We watch him slowly disappear. 

The End. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 



TO K- 



A LOVELY face, a form of grace, 

A tiny foot, a hand so white, 
A giant mind, chaste and refined, 

And beaut'ous eyes so clear and bright. 

All this, and more, you think you are ; 

Your thoughts from no one are concealed ; 
Yet, if you sought what others thought. 

These wholesome truths would be revealed. 

A face once fair, now worse for wear. 
Complexion — but that no one sees ; 

A form so light, that well it might 
Be Avafted by the faintest breeze. 

A weaker mind 'twere hard to find ; 

Such spiteful eyes, and tongue so tart ; 
Immense conceit, and giant feet. 

Comprise of thee the greater part. 



38 ODDS AND ENDS. 



ON THE PRESENTATION OF A SONG 
COMPOSED BY THE AUTHOR. 

Accept, sweet friend, my profifer'd gift, 
Altho' its worth indeed be small ; 

My only hope in off 'ring it 
Is that perchance it may recall 

One thought of me, and for a while 

Serve leisure moments to beguile. 



And yet, perhaps to you 'twill seem 
An unharmon'ous, worthless thing, 

Unworthy of a single thought ; 

Tho' bad to play — much worse to sing. 

If all intrinsic worth it lack. 

Why, then, sweet friend — please send it back. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 39 



"MAN'S ESTATE." 

To-day I have reached " Man's Estate," 
And the years of my childhood are flown, 

When I felt just as much of a man, 
Tho' estates then, as now, I had none. 

I have reached " Man's Estate," and I think, 
As around me I gaze, and behold 

Men endow'd with both talent and brains, 
" Man's Estate " is a glorious goal. 

But if you will pause and reflect 
On the numberless asses that call 

Themselves men, you'll agree when I say, 
" Man's Estate" is not much after all. 



N. B. — Written on the author's twenty -first 
birthday — October 9, 1884. 



40 ODDS AND ENDS. 



TO J- 



Ah ! tell me, poor sensitive heart of mine, 
Why do you flutter when someone is nigh. 

And glow as tho' basking in warm sunshine. 
When I catch the glad light of a laughing 
eye ? 

Once, poor heart, you were all my own ; 

But now — happy heart, you are her's alone. 

What is the song that you sing, oh, my heart ? 

Holds it a prophecy, bright as the day. 
Of loving souls wedded never to part, 

Tho' youth's beauty shall fade, and tresses be 

gray ? 
Sing, happy heart, a song like this 
But preludes a dream o'erflowing with bliss. 

Oh ! tell me, thou fluttering heart, what tale 
Bring you so gladly to whisper to me ? 

That her love is true, and it will not fail. 
And life shall a garden of paradise be ? 

Ah ! happy heart, I have won a throne 

In her loving heart, where I reign alone. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 4 I 



TO A DEVOUT LADY. 

Sweet Christian, during the days of fasting, 

As you bow th' adoring knee, 
And your prayers ascend to heaven, 

Let one prayer ascend for me. 



As you kneel in supplication 

To the " Father, God of love," 
And your shapely hand displaying, 

Covered by a dainty glove — 
See, the Holy Father pauses 

During the solemn Litany, 
And his heav'nly eyes with longing 

Rest upon thy glove, and thee. 



Ah ! thy heav'nly glance, sweet Christian, 
Sends thy heart's blood to thy cheek ; 

Who'd have looked for thoughts so worldly 
In one so devout and meek. 



42 ODDS AND ENDS. 

Still thine eyes, with rapt devotion, 

Rest upon thy book, and yet 
In thy breast a sweet emotion 

Makes thee wander, and forget ; 
And a longing for confession 

To thy " Father, God of love," 
Fills thy heart, and yet, thy choice is 

He of earth — not He above. 



ODDS AND ENDS. 43 



TO H- 



WlTH soap and suds — your stock in trade, 

An honest living might be made ; 

One should not dress in sa'tin fine, 

Or drink the very best of wine, 

But by their bent to fight and wrangle. 

Make a good living with the mangle. 

You who have by the dawn's faint light 
Changed grimy shirts from black to white. 
Now silk and satin dresses own, 
But how you got them is not known. 

The form which they adorn, alas ! 

Is but a quivering, shapeless mass 

Of flesh, seed-warts, and sick'ning pimples, 

Which you are pleased to term as dimples. 

Your flabby hands, your bulbous ears, 
Your wat'ry eyes — tho' not with tears ; 
Your pond'rous feet bunions adorn. 
With here and there a callous corn. 



44 ODDS AND ENDS. 

You try in vain, with wig and " scratch," 
To hide your baldness, and to match 
The meagre hair that kindly fate 
Has left upon your brainless pate. 

The dulcet cadence of your voice 
Should cause the deaf man to rejoice, 
And with a loud, and joyful cheer 
Thank God, for once, he couldn't hear. 

The silks and satins that you wear 
Are gotten — well, no matter where; 
But all the soap and suds e'er seen 
Can never wash your conscience clean. 

Enjoy them, if you can, on earth; 

The end will cost you all they're worth. 

You care not now what's the amount, 

You've some poor fool to square th' account ; 

But did you ever think full well 

Who'll square th' account you have in h — ? 



ODV6 AND ENDS. 45 



LINES WRITTEN IN AN AUTOGRAPH 
ALBUM. 

You know not that of me you ask, 

Sweet girl, an almost useless task. 

For when my "scratching" meets your sight, 

You'll wonder what I tried to write ; 

And as you ponder o'er the same, 

'Twill ne'er occur to you it's a name. 



A name, it matters not how small ; 
" What's in a name ? " nothing at all. 
But if your mem'ry chance to stray 
Into the past a little way. 
Give but one thought, tho' slight it be, 
To him whose thoughts are all of thee. 



46 ODDS AND ENDS. 



THE LENTEN SEASON. 

Forty days of prayer and penance, 

Forty wails rise on the breeze, 
Forty priests in forty pulpits, 

Forty sinners on their knees ; 
Forty saints have gone to glory, 

(Forty dollars served them well,) 
Forty more'll their footsteps follow, 

Forty thousand go to h — . 



ODDS AND 'ENDS. 47 



TO E . 

Ah ! had I never loved but thee, 
And made to thee my only vow, 

I wonder if my heart would be 
As wholly thine as it is now. 

For had I not, in wasted years, 
Felt other passions stir my breast, 

I would not know 'twixt doubts and fears, 
How much thy love doth make me blest. 

I could not love thee half so well 

Had I not loved another less, 
So that my heart can surely tell 

Friendship from love and tenderness. 

My heart, like a poor shipwrecked waif, 
Tossed to and fro on Passion's sea,. 

Now's anchor'd in the haven safe ; 
The anchor 's love, the haven 's thee. 



LOVE AND HATE. 



LOVE AND HATE. 



INTRODUCTION. 

There is a story that I fain would tell 

To you, kind reader, but God only knows 
How I'll begin ; I don't, I must confess. 

'Tis harder far to write in verse than prose, 
But since in verse already I've begun, 

Altho' to be a poet I don't pretend, 
I'll do my best, and with your kind consent 

Continue with my verse unto the end. 

My hero is not of the common type, 

With flowing locks, pale brow, and piercing 
eye, 
But, as I said before, I'm not a p'oet, 

And with a poet's ideals should not try 
To weave my simple story into rhyme, 

Altho' I think you'd doubtless say 'twere 
worse 
If I in my dilemma should begin 

To tell my simple story in blank verse. 



52 



LOVE AND HATE. 



PROLOGUE. 



I. 

As Love came floating down to earth, 

On the wings of dewy morn, 
He said to himself, " In yonder glade 
There liveth a fair and blithesome maid, 
Who, by my soul, I am much afraid 

Without me will be forlorn. 

II. 

How gladly would I cheer her heart 
Were she and I not strangers ; , 

This very day I will try to make 

Her acquaintance, for sweet pleasure's sake, 

And her vagrant heart a captive take 
To guard it from worse dangers." 

III. 
The wicked little imp called Hate 

Chanced to be hovering near ; 
The mischief he was bent on playing 
With any hearts that he caught straying, 
So paused to see if Love was saying 

Aueht that he would like to hear. 



LOVK AND HATE. 53 

IV, 

Love, quite unconscious Hate was nigh, 

Continued tiius explaining : 
" I'm so glad I made an early start. 
As I'll have to first take Elsa's heart, 
And then see that Elbert does his part 

To keep her love from waning. 

V. 

" I'll conquer Elsa's heart to-day, 

Elbert's I'll take to-morrow, 
Then by my subtle magic power 
I'll lead them to a leafy bower 
Where they may pass each fleeting hour 

Free from all care and sorrow." 

VI. 

Now crafty Hate, on hearing this, 
Determined to thwart Love's plan. 

He said to himself, with grave intent : 
" When Love's with Elsa and can't prevent 

I'll sowa small seed of Discontent 
In Elbert's heart while I can, 

VII. 
" When Love to morrow Elbert seeks, 
Borne thence on airy pinions, 



54 LOVE AND HATE. 

He will not think that his plans were known, 
And I before him a seed have sown 
That will quickly ripen — and when grown 
Keep him from my dominions." 

VIII. 
Love blithely starts upon his way 

To capture sweet Elsa's heart, 
While subtle Hate, with devilish smile, 
And malignant face lit up by guile, 
Stands by and watches him all the while 

Thus on his errand depart. 

IX. 
" Hurrah ! " cries Hate, with joyous voice. 

As he sees Love disappear, 
" I have found the mischief that I sought, 
And before Love Elsa's heart has caught 
ril have Elbert's — and Love will know naught 
About my having been near." 



LOVE AND HATE. 55 



CANTO I. 

I. 

'Twas near the close of spring, the last of May, 
Or thereabouts, I think ; suffice to say 
The birds were sweetly singing in the trees. 
And 'round the flowers buzzed the honey-bees. 

II. 
And o'er the mountain-top the morning sun 

Crept lazily into the azure skies ; 
Another day of joy had just begun, 

As slowly Sol unclosed his sleepy eyes, 

III. 
A quaint old farm-house nestl'd in the glade, 
And on its porch the joyous sunbeams played ; 
The honey-suckle and the roses fair. 
Lent balmy fragrance to the morning air. 

IV. 
The lowing kine upon the hill-side grazed, 
And playful lambs were sporting on the 
green ; 
Sweet Elsa in the doorway stood, and gazed 
With rapt expression on the peaceful scene. 



56 LOVE AND HATE. 



To look upon, she was indeed most fair : 
Her soft blue eyes, and wavy auburn hair, 
And saucy little nose — her lips so red 
Looked as if upon rose-leaves she had fed. 



VI. 

Her shapely little hands were browned by toil ; 
But what of that ? her heart was light and 
glad. 
The sun could not its pure complexion spoil — 
Her sylph-like form would drive St. Anthony 
mad. 

VII. 

She was her father's joy, his only child, 
And like the ivy, clinging strong and wild 
'Till of the giant oak it forms a part, 
So twined her love about her father's heart. 



VIII. 

He was a sturdy farmer, Joel by name, 

Who for a score of years had tilled the soil ; 

His father had before him done the same. 
And reaped a goodly harvest by his toil. 



LOVE AND HATE. . 57 



IX. 



Now Joel, who had reaped the burnish'd grain 
To good advantage and financial gain, 
Would sometimes say, "You need not be afraid 
To wed ; thou'lt have a dower, my little maid." 



And Elsa, with a sweet, contented smile, 
Would nestle closer to her father's side, 

And say, " Now, father dear, you know that I'll 
Not leave the farm and you to be a bride. 



XI. 

" I'd rather stay and be your ' little maid,' 
And live secluded in our peaceful glade, 
Helping about the farm, where'er I can, 
Than be the worship'd bride of any man." 



XII. 

" I know my ' little maid ' feels that way now," 
Said Joel ; " but e'er long there'll come a day 

When some gay lad will come with smile and 
bow, 
And take your heart, and you, my lass, away. '' 



LOVE AND HATE. 



XIII. 



Thus Elsa and her father often spoke ; 

She, clinghig hke the ivy to the oak 

To his affections, thought of nothing more ; 

But he knew well what love, once planted, bore. 

XIV. 

The bitter and the sweet, the joy, the pain, 
The tender smiles — tho' oft'ner bitter tears — 

Which, flowing from the heart, like summer's 
rain. 
Keeps green the mem'ry of the by-gone years. 

XV. 

He fain would keep sweet Elsa's heart his own, 
Altho' if Love should ask, he was not prone 
To show the pain it caused him to consent, 
But try as best he could to be content. 

XVI. 
He was her only counsellor and guide, 

Her mother having died when she was born ; 
To do his best in ev'ry way he'd tried. 

That naught might cause his " little maid " 
to mourn. 



LOVE AND HATE. 59 

XVII. 

Upon this morning, near the close of May, 
As Elsa stood and watched the sunbeams 
play 
Upon the porch, she gave a sudden start. 

For one bright sunbeam seemed to reach her 
heart. 

XVIII. 
She felt it throb a moment, and then rest, 

Then throb again, as tho' it tried to seek 
A means of egress from her heaving breast ; 

And then — a burning blush suffused her cheek. 

XIX. 
She blushed — altho' she ne'er would have con- 
fessed 
The thoughts that then usurped her maiden 
breast, 
And caused the humid tear to dim her eye, 
And throbbing heart to breathe a longing 
sigh. 

XX. 

In vain she tried the longing to subdue. 

In vain to make the throbbing heart lie still ; 

She raised her eyes — a vision met her view. 
Young Elbert coming slowly down the hill. 



6o LOVE AND HATE. 

XXI. 
He was a careless, bright, good-natured youth, 

Frank, honest, open-handed, and, forsooth, 
His hearty laugli and merry twink'ling eyes 
Showed plainly that for Love he'd had no 
sighs. 

XXII. 
He was a farmer lad, but what of that ? 

A farmer lad may have a courtier's heart ; 
Tho' dressed in home-spun blouse and broad- 
brimmed hat, 
I much prefer the farmer for my part. 

XXIII. 
Alluring Love, thy work thou hast done well, 

And Lisa's heart's held captive by thy spell ; 
And Elbert, tho' not guided by thy pow'r. 

Approaches at the most propitious hour. 

XXIV. 

We left young Elbert coming down the hill. 
And Elsa watching him — her cheeks flush' d 
red ; 

I said he was not guided by Love's will, 
But did not say that Hate his footsteps led. 



LOVE AND HATE, 6 1 

XXV. 

Such was, howe'er, the case, tho' strange it 
seem ; 

It was a part of Hate's malicious scheme 
To let Love triumph until he was prone 

To reap his harvest from the seed he'd sown. 

XXVI. 

And so he guided Elbert's willing feet 

Unto the very spot where Love would fain 

Have had him come, and coming Elsa meet ; 
Once met — Hate knew that he'd seek her 
again. 

XXVII. 
Hate trusted that the tiny seed he'd sown 

Would be by Love unnoticed and unknown. 
And that young Elbert's heart at first would 
prove 
A willing captive to the bonds of Love. 

XXVIII. 
This once accomplished, it was his intent 

To nurture carefully the tiny seed 
Within his garden planted, then he meant 

To cast aside Love, like a worthless weed. 



62 LOVE AND HATE. 

XXIX. 

Young Elbert reached the porch, and there he 

paused, 
In Elsa's look a dormant something caused 
The blood to rush into his sunburned cheek, 
And made his heart and limbs alike feel weak. 

XXX. 

The sunbeam that had gladden'd Elsa's heart. 
Had found a means of egress thro' her eyes ; 

And now young Elbert, too, it caused to start, 
And open wide Jiis eyes in glad surprise. 

XXXI. 

He stopped a moment — as if he would say 
Good-morning to the lass — then went his way, 
Along the little brook that romp'd and played, 
Down from the hill-top thro' the quiet glade. 

XXXII. 

And Elsa stood and watched him till he passed 
From sight, and then a longing fraught with 
pain 

Swept o'er her heart, like winter's chilling blast 
Across a desolate and barren plain. 



LOVE AND HATE. 6^ 



XXXIII. 



She wondered would she e'er see him again, 
Then wished that she had asked him to remain 
And rest himself, or look about the farm — 
She had no thought of prudishness or harm. 



XXXIV. 

She knew her father would not be well pleased, 
That she had let a stranger thro' the glade 

Without inviting him to have appeased 

His thirst, or rest beneath the porch's cool 
shade. 

XXXV. 

But now that he had gone, it was too late 
For vain regrets, tho' she resolved if fate 
Should lead him by their quiet home again, 
Her father should have no cause to complain. 



XXXVI. 

And Elbert, wand'ring idly through the glade, 
Was building ideal castles in the air. 

And on each castle's porch there stood a maid, 
With eyes of azure blue and auburn hair. 



64 LOVE AND HATE. 

XXXVII. 

And thus they met, tho' neither had a thought 
That Love and Hate had them together brought, 
Simply for their amusement, or that they 
Would live to curse with bitterness the day. 

XXXVIII. 

Had they met but this once, all had been well. 
And you, like they, kind reader, spared much 
pain, 

As I'd have had no story then to tell. 
Alas for both ! they often met again. 



LOVE AND HATE, 65 



CANTO II. 



The spring had flown, and summer in its stead 
Now reigned supreme, and Sol, with ardor 

spread. 
His arms, to clasp Earth to his burning breast, 
And keep her there, in spite of her unrest. 



11. 

I judged of her affection by the way 
That she responded to his warm caress ; 

I much prefer the months of June or May, 
To August or July, I must confess. 



III. 

The lambs upon the green no longer played, 
But sought the spreading trees' congenial 

shade; 
The lowing kine stood knee-deep in the brook, 
Or grazed contented in some shady nook. 



66 LOVE AND HATE. 

IV. 

The fields were teeming with the golden grain, 
And stalwart farmers, heedless of the sun, 

With scythes and sickles reaped it, e'er the 
rain 
Should lay it low — the harvest had begun. 



Elsa and Elbert, who, as I have said. 
Met in the spring, were now betrothed to wed 
At close of harvest time, and Love's delight 
Was great, to think his plans were working right. 

VI. 

And Hate, too, was content to watch the growth 
Of Discontent planted in Elbert's breast 

At close of spring, and to himself did quoth, 
" 'Tis time to reap my harvest with the rest." 

VII. 

"And yet, perhaps, 'twere best to let them 

wed. 
And from the breast of Love awhile be fed 
Before I reap my harvest — there's no haste ; 
The seed I've planted will not run to waste. 



LOVE AND HATE. 67 

VIII. 

" My triumph over Love will be complete 
When he finds that the hearts he thought 
were free, 

And brought together in his blind conceit, 
Were not so, but that one belonged to me." 

IX. 

The harvest now was o'er, the golden grain 
Was reaped and stored, secure from wind and 

rain ; 
And at the quiet farm-house in the glade, 
There lived no longer Joel's little maid. 

X. 

The lad, as Joel feared, with smile and bow 
Had come and lured his birdling from the 
nest. 

The farm-house seemed deserted to him now ; 
A leaden heart was prisoned in his breast, 

XI. 

Young Elbert bought a farm upon the hill, 
Whose acres well its granaries did fill ; 
And there he took sweet Elsa, who would fain 
Have had him at her father's farm remain. 



68 LOVE AND HATE. 

XII. 

But Elbert, tho' 'twas cruel to refuse 

Her first request, said in a chilling tone, 

" Your father you can visit when you choose, 
I'd rather live upon a farm I own." 



XIII. 

And Elsa's gentle eyes with tears were wet 
At his reply, which seemed so cold, and yet- 
Her husband she had promised to obey ; 
His slightest wish she never would gainsay. 



XIV. 

So to Jiis home they went, altho' her heart 
Was somewhat sad, and heavy in her breast, 

To think that from her father she must part ; 
And still she thought her husband's way the 
best. 



XV. 

The tiny seed that subtle Hate had sown 
Made Elbert answer in so cold a tone ; 
And made him jealous of the smallest part 
Of filial love that linp-er'd in her heart. 



LOVE AND HATE, 69 

XVI. 

The autumn came, and with the changing leaves 
Young Elbert's heart, too, changes, and he 

heaves 
Many a sigh to think — he knew not why — 
His heart should change, and love wither and 

die. 

XVII. 

The love so hot and passionate at first 

Was cooling, tho' he fain would keep the 
flame 

Alive, and from sweet Elsa keep the worst, 
For she, poor innocent, was not to blame. 

XVIII. 

She felt the change, and, like a tender rose 
Plucked from its hot-house bed, and roughly 
cast 

Into a drift of snow, was left exposed 
To perish in the winter's chilling blast. 

XIX. 

Morose, and discontented with his lot 
Young Elbert grew, and Elsa vainly sought, 
With all the charms and graces she possessed. 
To keep his love alive within his breast. 



70 LOVE AND HATE. 

XX. 

It was a useless task, for subtle Hate 
Had planted deep his seed, and in a state 
Of exultation watched it while it grew, 
And now a harvest rich would reap, he knew. 

XXI. 

In spring they met and loved ; in summer wed ; 

In autumn one's love rip'ned, one's love 
waned ; 
And now, from both all happiness had fled : 

His love was dead, her love, alas ! — remained. 

XXII. 

A few months more, and winter's chilling blast 
Swept over hill and dale, and whistling past 
Young Elbert, chilled the heart that once was 

kind. 
And made his sighs seem echoes of the wind. 

XXIII. 

The seed of Discontent which subtle Hate 
Had planted in his heart had ripen'd fast ; 

And now to reap he need no longer wait : 
The seed of Love was killed — by winter's 
blast. 



LOVE AND HATE. 7 1 



XXIV. 



The seed of Love in Elsa's heart, tho' chilled 
By Elbert's sighs and coldness, was not killed ; 
And needed but Love's warming sun and rain 
Of tears to restore it, and bloom again. 



XXV. 



Love's warming sun for her would never shine, 
The fountain of her tears was long since dry, 

And like the rose, once nipped by winter's wind, 
She, without sun and rain, would droop and 
die. 



XXVI. 



Young Elbert, ere the year, had sold his farm, 
His home and Elsa both had lost their charm. 
"I long to see the world," he told his wife, 
•' While you prefer your father's mode of life. 



XXVII. 

" To stay with him, when first we wed, you tried, 
Altho' I fain would bring you to my home ; 

Now go to him for whom you've yearned and 
sighed, 
And I about the world awhile will roam." 



72 LOVE AND HATE. 

XXVIII. 

Sweet, patient, loving Elsa thus replied : 
" You know, dear Elbert, I'll not leave your side. 
If you but bid me stay, where'er you go 
Thy lot is mine — be it for weal or woe." 



XXIX. 

But Elbert did not wish it thus to be ; 

He cared not how much sorrow — how much 
pain 
He caused her, so he said, " I can't take thee, 

And with thy father wish thee to remain." 



XXX. 

And thus 'twas settled — he should go alone, 
And Elsa seek her father's home again, 

Altho' he promised, trying to atone, 

That he'd return before the year should wane. 



XXXI. 

And Elsa, broken-hearted and forlorn, 
Returned unto the house where she was born ; 
How sadly changed the blithesome little maid 
That left the quaint old farm-house in the glade. 



LOVE AND HATE. 73 

XXXII. 

Enshrined within her heart, the flames of love, 
Like vestal fires, were burning night and day. 

She prayed to Him who reigned supreme above 
To bring her Elbert back to her for aye. 



XXXIII. 

'Twas near the close of spring — the last of May — 
Six months had passed, and Elbert still away ; 
The birds had sung good-night, and sought their 

nests, 
And from his toil the honey-bee, too, rests. 



XXXIV. 

And in the distant west the evening sun 
Was slowly sinking to its calm repose ; 

Another day its dreary course had run, 
And now was slowly drawing to its close. 



XXXV. 

Each day for six long months of poignant pain 
Sweet Elsa had for Elbert watched in vain, 
Tho' to her aching heart Despair oft said, 
" He'll ne'er return to thee, for Love is dead." 



74 LOVE AND HATE. 



XXXVI. 



And still she watched and waited, feeding Hope 
With Love's sweet morsels — Hope needs 
much besides, 

Or with Despair she is not fit to cope — 
Until, like Elbert's love — Hope also died. 

XXXVII. 

Without her husband's love, and Hope, too, dead, 
For what had she to live ? — life's joy had fled ; 
Her day of love began with morning's sun, 
And ended ere the twilight's shades begun. 

XXXVIII. 

'Twas just a year since Love and subtle Hate 
Had brought two hearts together, and then led 

Them both thro' Sorrow's vale to cruel Fate, 
And now — Love, Hope, and Elsa, all were 
dead. 

XXXIX. 

The quaint old farm-house, nestling in the glade. 
Seemed lone and drear without the " little 

maid ; " 
The ample porch, tho' decked with roses fair. 
Was not the same — one rose was plucked from 

there. 



LOVE AND HATE. 75 

XL. 

And Joel, who, but a twelve months ago, 

Had bound, with gladsome heart, the bur- 
nished sheaf. 

His stalwart form now bent — his hair like snow. 
Was aged and broken by his bitter grief. 

XLI. 

Young Elbert, guided by the power of Hate, 
Returned unto the glade, when 'twas too late 
To find sweet Elsa — but where'er he went 
He found not what he sought — but Discontent. 

XLII. 

The seed of Discontent within his breast, 

Which subtle Hate had planted, grew and 
throve, 

And ever filled him with a vague unrest ; 
And thus it was Hate triumphed over Love. 



THE END. 



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